FBI Reportedly Gained Access to iPhone Used by Mass Shooter in Florida After Apple Refused to Help

[MacRumors]

FBI officials have somehow managed to unlock at least one of two passcode-protected iPhones owned by Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, the perpetrator of a mass shooting at a Naval Air Station in Florida last December, according to CNN.

Apple provided the FBI with iCloud data belonging to Alshamrani, but it refused to assist investigators with gaining access to the iPhones. In a statement earlier this year, the company said that while it was "devastated to learn of the tragic terrorist attack" at the Naval Air Station, creating a backdoor into iOS would pose a national security threat.

We have always maintained there is no such thing as a backdoor just for the good guys. Backdoors can also be exploited by those who threaten our national security and the data security of our customers. Today, law enforcement has access to more data than ever before in history, so Americans do not have to choose between weakening encryption and solving investigations. We feel strongly encryption is vital to protecting our country and our users' data.

Alshamrani owned an iPhone 7 and an iPhone 5, according to The New York Times.

Apple faced a similar situation in 2016, when a U.S. federal judge ordered the company to help the FBI unlock an iPhone owned by Syed Farook, one of the shooters in the December 2015 attacks in San Bernardino, California. Apple opposed the order, noting that it would set a "dangerous precedent." In that case, the FBI also found a way to access the iPhone, although the method was never publicly disclosed.

Last week, exploit acquisition platform Zerodium announced that it would not be purchasing any iOS exploits for a few months due to a high number of submissions, noting that there are at least a few persistent security vulnerabilities affecting all iPhones and iPads. "Let's hope iOS 14 will be better," said Zerodium CEO Chaouki Bekrar.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: FBI Reportedly Gained Access to iPhone Used by Mass Shooter in Florida After Apple Refused to Help

 

[Emanuel Rodriguez]

It's one of those times where you can honestly understand both sides. I'd err on the side of privacy, but the FBI isn't completely wrong either.

 

[whoknows2597]

I don’t see the point of the FBI asking Apple for help, if they’ll find a way to get access from a third party regardless.

 

[citysnaps]

I don’t see the point of the FBI asking Apple for help, if they’ll find a way to get access from a third party regardless.

I can see the point. Start with Apple, the manufacturer of the phone. If Apple's not able to help, try another option. Makes sense to me.

 

[clayj]

The takeaway: The FBI no longer needs to ask Apple to crack into phones.

 

[Stromos]

So what knowledge did it provide? Oh wait since this whole thing was glanced over you guessed it.... nothing.

 

[calzon65]

This is a delicate subject, but someday if we ever have a serious real-time pending catastrophe and the only way to resolve the pending catastrophe is for Apple to "break into" an iPhone and Apple refuses, they will have hell to pay.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

i agree with Apple. Crimes were solved before the iPhone existed. If a ‘backdoor’ was created it would take zero time for it to be exploited for malicious use.

 

[whoknows2597]

I can see the point. Start with Apple, the manufacturer of the phone. If Apple's not able to help, try another option. Makes sense to me.

But again, the FBI previously found a way to gain access to the phone, so why didn’t they use that method in the first place instead of asking Apple?

 

[citysnaps]

The takeaway: The FBI no longer needs to ask Apple to crack into phones.

And that's good.
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But again, the FBI previously found a way to gain access to the phone, so why didn’t they use that method in the first place instead of asking Apple?

What way was that? And where was that claim made?

 

[NT1440]

This is a delicate subject, but someday if we ever have a serious real-time pending catastrophe and the only way to resolve the pending catastrophe is for Apple to "break into" an iPhone and Apple refuses, they will have hell to pay.

The show 24 has truly broken American’s ability to think critically.

The ticking clock scenario is a plot device, not how real life scenarios work.

That aside. With the billions we’ve spent on “national security” you’re telling me that if the massive surveillance apparatus we’ve set up across the entire world fails to stop a plot down to the point where the ONLY way to prevent something is *unlocking an iPhone* it’s APPLE that has something to answer for!?!?

 

[4jasontv]

And that's good.

... for the Ministry of Truth.

 

[citysnaps]

... for the Ministry of Truth.

What?

 

[NT1440]

And that's good.
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What way was that? And where was that claim made?

They just go to Cellebrite the Israeli firm that makes devices to do exactly this.

You know, the capability that the FBI has always had (go to the firms that do this all day everyday)but chose to ignore it and try to use negative publicity to force Apple to install a back door into iOS...for “security” surely.

The FBI keeps trying to take a bite at this, and their lies keep getting bought up by the technologically illiterate press and therefore citizens.

 

[4jasontv]

What?

You said it was good. I clarified for whom.

 

[fhall1]

But again, the FBI previously found a way to gain access to the phone, so why didn’t they use that method in the first place instead of asking Apple?

Why pay for a third party solution if Apple will do it for free (which they won't)?

 

[citysnaps]

You said it was good. I clarified for whom.

What is the "Ministry of Truth?"

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Not surprising in light of this recent Macrumors story.

Zerodium this week announced that it will not be purchasing any iOS exploits for the next two to three months due to a high number of submissions.

 

[gnasher729]

I don’t see the point of the FBI asking Apple for help, if they’ll find a way to get access from a third party regardless.

If Apple had been able to help, they would have to do it practically free. A third party will charge a princely sum of money. Good reason to ask Apple first.

But then there is a possibility that the story is completely made up, to make sure criminals don't think they can rely on iPhone security. It's what I would do. Doesn't help with a suicide murderer, but with commercial criminals. You wouldn't want to risk that the FBI can read about all your drug deals, even a year later. It might move them to different and less secure solutions. And if that happens we will _never_ hear about less secure solutions being cracked.

 

[citysnaps]

They just go to Cellebrite the Israeli firm that makes devices to do exactly this.

You know, the capability that the FBI has always had (go to the firms that do this all day everyday)but chose to ignore it and try to use negative publicity to force Apple to install a back door into iOS...for “security” surely.

The FBI keeps trying to take a bite at this, and their lies keep getting bought up by the technologically illiterate press and therefore citizens.

Really? Cellebrite exploits get fixed by Apple after they're revealed. Should law enforcement seeking criminal evidence start with Cellebrite with the possibility the phone could be permanently hosed? Or first ask Apple?

I'd ask Apple first. It would be stupid not to.

I'm glad the FBI was able to get into the phone.

 

[gnasher729]

This is a delicate subject, but someday if we ever have a serious real-time pending catastrophe and the only way to resolve the pending catastrophe is for Apple to "break into" an iPhone and Apple refuses, they will have hell to pay.

What makes you think that?

 

[iReality85]

It's one of those times where you can honestly understand both sides. I'd err on the side of privacy, but the FBI isn't completely wrong either.

Yeah, that's my take away as well. You can't really fault the FBI if Apple is unwilling to assist. And I'm glad Apple's stance is what it is. But the FBI is going to do what the FBI's going to do.

EDIT- Whoops, wrong Florida shooting (reading fail), was thinking of Pulse. Can't keep them all straight. Regardless...

 

[NT1440]

Really? Cellebrite exploits get fixed by Apple after they're revealed. Should law enforcement seeking criminal evidence start with Cellebrite with the possibility the phone could be permanently hosed? Or first ask Apple?

I'd ask Apple first.

Why ask Apple? This is settled. The OS is engineered to not allow for what their asking.

“Asking Apple” is asking them to engineer a backdoor, period.

Cellebrite, amongst literally hundreds of other intelligence-linked firms develop exploits all day every day. Cellebrite in particular then markets their equipment to law enforcement all over the world. An exploit gets patched, they move on to the next.

Cellebrite Advanced Services | Access And Collect Mobile Digital Evidence

Our digital intelligence experts provide agencies with forensically sound access to sensitive mobile digital evidence as part of our advanced services.

www.cellebrite.com

Apple, as iOS is currently engineered, has no secret method of bypassing iOS security. That’s by design, you can’t compel them to do something they’ve explicitly designed not to happen.

Cellebrite Says It Can Unlock Any iPhone for Cops

In a strangely public product announcement, the phone-cracking firm revealed a powerful new device.

www.wired.com

MEANWHILE, the FBI is now empowered to look through anyone’s emails AND WEB HISTORY WITHOUT A WARRANT thanks to the extension of the Patriot Act that is passing shortly. So let’s put to bed the notion that this story is anything other than US intelligence agencies trying to manufacture consent to spy on everyone at any time as is their goal.

Mitch McConnell is pushing the Senate to pass a measure that would let the FBI collect Americans' web-browsing history without a warrant

Another amendment blocking the FBI surveillance failed by just one vote Wednesday, bringing McConnell's proposal one step closer to becoming law.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[4jasontv]

What is the "Ministry of Truth?"

The Ministry of Truth is the branch of government that is responsible for any necessary falsification of historical events, and redefining language to make previous government statements correct. Government must be absolute. It can not make mistakes or change its mind therefore it must correct perceived variations from what it meant and what it said or did.

 

[citysnaps]

Why ask Apple? This is settled. The OS is engineered to not allow for what their asking.

“Asking Apple” is asking them to engineer a backdoor, period.

Cellebrite, amongst literally hundreds of other intelligence-linked firms develop exploits all day every day. Cellebrite in particular then markets their equipment to law enforcement all over the world. An exploit gets patched, they move on to the next.

Cellebrite Advanced Services | Access And Collect Mobile Digital Evidence

Our digital intelligence experts provide agencies with forensically sound access to sensitive mobile digital evidence as part of our advanced services.

www.cellebrite.com

Apple, as iOS is currently engineered, has no secret method of bypassing iOS security. That’s by design, you can’t compel them to do something they’ve explicitly designed not to happen.

Cellebrite Says It Can Unlock Any iPhone for Cops

In a strangely public product announcement, the phone-cracking firm revealed a powerful new device.

www.wired.com

You're not saying anything new. "Settled" or not, it does no harm asking Apple first. It would be stupid to not ask first.

The good news is the FBI was able to get into the phone, and without Apple's help.